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The carrot trick (for the brain )

Brains can stubborn, like old mules that plant their feet and won’t walk in the direction they are supposed to.

Sometimes, it is when we sit down to write that our brain just won’t budge. Sometimes, the feeling we get is that the brain hasn’t got a care in the world. It is lazily swishing flies off with its tail and contentedly nibbling at long juicy grass. And no matter how much we kick and bellow commands, that ol’ brain will not listen. Only in its own sweettime will it get a move on.

The trouble is, writing time does not last forever! We need to get going when it starts. So, it helps to know that brains can be encouraged to move. All we need is the right carrot.

What can we dangle in front of the brain to get it to move in the direction of writing words? Many elves reach for books they love. And if we do not have a favorite book, poems written by Shel Silverstein seem especially effective at moving brains.

New idea: When you need to write and your brain is being an old mule and won’t get started, try reading a few pages of a great book. Dangle some dandy words out in front of your eyes and see your brain start to happily head in that direction.

Brains—both elven and human—are stubborn, yes, but they can be outsmarted.